Fallowfield and Withington Christian Aid supporters fund-raise together but now have also gathered together to support the Make Poverty History Campaign. Outside Withington Methodist Church they erected a banner reading "19,000 children die each day from poverty caused by unjust trade and debt repayments." Railings and street furniture were used for banners, placards and steamers of MPH barrier tape for passing traffic. They used "Votes for Trade Justice", their petition to Peter Mandelson and Jubilee "Wipe out the Debt" cards. Staffing the stand were "old hands" and new. Some pensioners, some wage-earners, some students. One of these, Tracey Charnock, explained: "I think it's important to campaign for justice and equality for all people. It's about love and peace in the world." Lisa Grund had a different slant: "I like the Vote for Trade Justice as it's something "ordinary people" can relate to when they feel their voice is a bit lost in politics." The final score was 292 Vote for Trade Justice cards, 142 "Wipe out the Debt" cards, 140 petition signatures and flyers distributed for the Manchester Motiv8 4 G8 conference (see below) and Wake up for Trade Justice on 15 April.
Steph Pennells (pennells@fish.co.uk)
30,000 people die each day from extreme poverty, 19,000 are children. 2005 is a crucial year for making poverty of this scale a thing of the past. It is the UK's turn at the head of the G8 and thus is a year to make history, to Make Poverty History. Join hundreds of others from the North of England for the "Motiv8 4 G8" conference at New Century House on April 9 as we prepare to travel to Scotland in early July to make sure world leaders Make Poverty History at the G8 Summit. At Motiv8 you can learn all you need to know about Make Poverty History and the Edinburgh mobilisation for the G8 and hear from actor, presenter and campaigner Tony Robinson, Friends of the Earth Trade Campaign Manager, a Cafod rep and international speakers from countries like Brazil.
Chris Worrall, Oxfam (0161 838 5620)
http://www.tjm-manchester.org.uk/motiv84g8.htm
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